Spot On: How to Wear Leopard Without the Jungle Look

Spot On: How to Wear Leopard Without the Jungle Look

At my coffee shop the other morning, I saw what could only be described as a “Leopard Lady”. Beside her leopard jacket, pants, booties, pendant, handbag, phone cover, and key chain, I ascertained the car outside with the leopard steering wheel cover was hers. She was a jungle parody.

Lest we not forget, leopard skin is actually a camouflage but only in the animal kingdom. For we humans of the female persuasion, leopard is a much loved and enduring fashion trick that can be sexy but only if done subtly and artfully. Here are some ways to get your kitten on:

Big roar

Go ahead and buy that velour leopard print coat. But let that be the only animal in your look. Pair it with chocolate brown pants and sweater and add a swirling coral scarf around your neck. Leave the rest of your leopard accessories at home. Let that Marilyn-esque coat do all the work.

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Unexpected pieces

If you can find a leopard pencil skirt or any other major garment, such as a sweater, see rule above. Keep everything else monotone: black tights and boots, or flats. The focus will be on your extraordinary skirt or cardi. Right where it should be.

Accessories

Leopard handbags are always eye-catching when they're in chic leopard, faux or fur pony. Again, the first rule applies. The bag adds a rich sophistication ONLY if the rest is balanced simplicity in solid colors. Look for leopard totes or small framed vintage looking shapes. A leopard belt over a black knit dress or as a demarcation between pumpkin colored separates will look fetching. Leopard gloves can be found in every shop and store and pretty up a bottle green wool coat or add interest to last year's camel cape.

Shoes

Sexy leopard pumps, flats, or booties bestow jungle fever all over the place because you look like a risk-taker which is always uber attractive. Even kitten heel slingbacks will upgrade your uncomplicated work-day pants and sweaters. So Vogue.

Scarves and wraps

You're next to nothing without a leopard print scarf around your neck in wintery New York City. Believe me - I was nothing. Fortunately, vendors sell inexpensive wool blend leopard pashminas on every street corner which means you can find it your area too. Check your favorite mall's kiosks for inexpensive scarves and wraps but buy them with the print both sides. When you toss it around your neck, you'll want to be full-on leopard (of the neck variety) and no one will know you’re not wearing $300 worth of cashmere. They look great with big sweaters and jeans or your workhorse black coat. You WILL want more than one!

Other prey

No question that leopard's brown and black print is earthy and warm. This means it looks best with gold. But if your true love is silver, try zebra. Zebra's black and white, calls for jeweled accessories in icy silver and marcasite. It's ok if that's your comfort zone but still use the keep-it-simple rule above.

Your take-away is wear long-cherished and classic leopard selectively and sparingly. And no steering wheel covers!

Donna Macdonald is a freelance writer who enjoys covering topics of interest to women, especially fragrance, style, beauty. She has also written marketing material for a women's book that hit the New York Times Bestseller list and netted her an up close and personal discussion on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Donna currently writes her own personal blog, alovelyinconsequence.blogspot.com where she also writes about issues close to a woman's heart. Donna believes that when a woman finds beauty in the world, she will find beauty in herself.